Lower tier sides licking their lips ahead of playoffs

By Mark Gleeson - 14 May 2019

Carlington Nyandombo (R) of Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila celebratres his goal with teammate Onyedikachi Ononogbu (L) during the National First Division match against Cape Umoya United in February 2019. Image: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Both Royal Eagles and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) will be licking their lips in anticipation ahead of the start of the Premier Soccer League’s promotion-relegation playoffs in Durban on Wednesday night‚ aware that the statistics are firmly in their favour.

The National First Division pair‚ who finished second and third‚ will be taking on Maritzburg United over the next weeks to determine a place in the top flight for next season.

Maritzburg finished second last in the Premier Soccer League after their 1-1 draw away at Baroka FC on Saturday.

Eagles host the opening game of the playoffs against TTM at the Chatsworth Stadium on Wednesday.

This year marks the 15th time the playoffs are hosted and only four times in the 14 previous playoffs has the club that finished 15th in the PSL managed to retain their status - Baroka (2017)‚ Polokwane City (2014)‚ Mpumalanga Black Aces (2010) and AmaZulu in 2007.

On the other 10 occasions‚ it is an NFD team that uses the playoffs to come up as Black Leopards did last season.